Sports
Luka Doncic set for first look at Clippers as a Laker
Feb 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images A new energy will envelop the rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the visiting Los Angeles Clippers when the teams meet Friday.
While the Lakers are incorporating Luka Doncic into the mix, the Clippers continue to look for a flow since Kawhi Leonard rejoined the team.
The Clippers are just 2-3 in a run of eight consecutive road games, although they will enter the Friday contest coming off a 122-117 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. James Harden scored 30 points, including a decisive 3-pointer with 14.4 seconds remaining.
Leonard scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 33 minutes. He is averaging 16.9 points and 4.8 rebounds in 17 games since making his season debut in January after dealing with knee soreness.
Leonard has missed seven of the 24 games the Clippers have played since his return, with the team going 13-11 over the entire stretch. The team also went 13-11 in the previous 24 games.
Harden struggled in the first half against the Bulls, shooting 1 of 5. But he broke free with 20 third-quarter points, as he made five of his seven 3-point tries in the period. The Clippers went 8 of 11 (72.7 percent) from long distance in the third.
“Being aggressive. It’s a mindset,” Harden said about his performance in the third quarter. “The first half, the zone kind of staggered us a little bit, slowed us down, but that’s why there’s two halves to a game.”
Doncic scored 21 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in the Lakers’ 111-102 home victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. Against the Clippers, he has averaged 32.6 points in 18 career games.
Doncic has played in just six games since missing six weeks with a calf strain, and a second game in two nights is looming. He sat out the second game of the Lakers’ only prior back-to-back since he was acquired from the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 2.
The Lakers’ other star, LeBron James, compiled 33 points and 17 rebounds against Minnesota but looked to be favoring his right hamstring late in the game.
“I’m good,” James said. “We’ll see how I feel when I get up (Friday morning).”
There were other causes for concern, including Rui Hachimura departing in the third quarter with a left knee strain.
Even though Doncic hit the 20-point mark for the second time with Los Angeles, he shot just 6 of 20 from the floor and 1 of 9 from 3-point range. He is shooting 22.4 percent (11 of 49) from long distance with his new team.
“We trust Luka as a shooter and as a decision-maker and the type of shots he’s been able to create throughout his career,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I think we’ve all had stretches like that. He’ll find his rhythm. We’re confident he will.”
The Lakers are now 4-2 with Doncic on the court.
After the Clippers won 11 consecutive games between the teams, the Lakers have won four of the past six, including a 122-97 victory on the Clippers’ home court Feb. 4. James scored 26 points for the Lakers in that one, while Norman Powell had 20 for the Clippers.
Powell, the Clippers’ leading scorer at 24.2 points per game, has missed the past four contests with left knee soreness. He was considered questionable for Friday.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Feb 22, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on from inside the dugout against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season, the team announced Sunday.
Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, which holds an option for the 2029 season.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time — and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.
“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow. I am energized to continue working with him towards the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”
Marmol, 39, has guided the Cardinals to a 325-323 record during his four seasons as the skipper. He led St. Louis to the National League Central title in 2022 before the team fell in the wild-card series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the Cardinals posted a 78-84 record to finish in fourth place in the NL Central.
Marmol was a coach with St. Louis from 2017-21 under previous managers Mike Shildt and Mike Matheny.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
Oct 31, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Tyler Reif (41) during the NASCAR Truck Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Tyler Reif was treated for heat exhaustion after Saturday night’s street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Reif, 18, was transported to an area medical facility after finishing 16th in the race in the No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet. He was later released.
“Tyler and his family would like to express their gratitude to the NASCAR officials, track medical workers and the local medical facility staff for their care,” Niece Motorsports said in a release.
Reif made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series in 2025. Saturday’s race was just his third on the circuit, including a 17th-place finish at Atlanta on Feb. 21.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: RB David Montgomery 'wants out' of Detroit
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Lions running back David Montgomery “wants out” of Detroit after three seasons, ESPN reported on Sunday.
Montgomery, however, immediately appeared to refute the report on X, posting: “Damn, Dmo told you that?”
The ESPN report claims the Lions would want “a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder)” in the 2026 NFL Draft in return for Montgomery, who turns 29 in June and is owed $6 million next season.
The report follows general manager Brad Holmes’ remarks after the season about Montgomery being unhappy with his playing time in 2025. Sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, Montgomery rushed for a career-low 716 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (no starts).
“Those are conversations that we’re going to have to have because I’ve got a lot of respect for that player,” Holmes said of Montgomery in January. “He deserves to be in a situation where his skillset can be utilized, and so yeah would love for it to be here, but if it can’t be here then you’d just love to see where could work out best for him.”
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Holmes said the situation with Montgomery is “fluid.” He signed a two-year extension during the 2024 season that runs through the end of the 2027 campaign.
“Yeah, I have been in touch with David’s agent, and his representation,” Holmes revealed. “Obviously, we love David, he’s a great player, we love to have him, you know, kind of want to put last year in the rear view, and just move forward. But, obviously, a player has to want to be at a certain place as well. The conversations are still fluid, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Montgomery has rushed for 2,506 yards and 33 touchdowns in 45 games (28 starts) in three seasons with Detroit (2023-25). He has 76 catches for 650 yards in that span.
He began his career with the NFC North rival Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. Montgomery rushed for 3,609 yards and 26 scores in 60 games (51 starts) with the Bears (2019-22).
–Field Level Media
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
